During the seasonal break this year I found myself travelling up and down the country. The period around Christmas was spent with friends in Rutland, after Boxing Day I travelled up to the West Midlands to see family and more friends, and finally back to London to welcome in the New Year.
In Rutland I attended the Christmas Eve service in the church at Barrowden village, which I had previously in November for their Remembrance Day service when visiting the same friends. On both occassions it was striking how the vicar’s service emphasised a pastoral attitude towards the parisheners, without overstating any formal hierarchy. It was interesting to reflect how this approach compared with the diminished reputation of Parliament and our national political representatives.
One of the traditions of Christmas Day is settling in the armchair to listen to the Queen’s speech. This year the themes focused on the pain of recession and honouring our armed forces that were serving in Afghanistan and other overseas operations. It was significant that the Queen emphasised the links across the Commonwealth and how these could provide a platform for dialogue on important issues – the turmoil around the recent financial crisis and the Copenhagen talks on climate change cannot have been far from the Queen’s mind when she reflected on the strength of this ongoing relationship. It seems to fall upon our monarchy to provide support to the country in troubled times, in light of our rudderless Government, a discredited Parliament, a failed banking system and with the Church itself experiencing financial problems.
Back to the West Midlands to see family and friends. My parents are preparing to travel to India in early January so there was plenty of discussion around their plans. On Sunday evening I went out to dinner with my close friends in the town of Leamington Spa, which featured in the recent publication “Unwrecked England”, by Candida Lycett Green. The impact of the recession was obvious on the Parade, which has served as a retail centre since the late19th century. Now there were a spread of empty shops, reflecting the combined pressure of the downturn and the increased retail appeal of places like Coventry and Birmingham.
Finally seeing in the New Year with friends in London. A wonderful two days, with us able to view the fireworks display from the top-most room in the house and then spending New Years Day enjoying food and conversation. I was reunited with the joys of Lego as I helped my friend’s son build a toy digger. A welcome break from television!
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